THE HOUSE OF DREAD

'PONDERING THE SOLUTION'

In The House of Dread, the deep sleep of the people is slow and long.
Chewed up cigarette butts, lay like charred elfin tree stumps,
on the narrow stairs, that go on forever,

The silence in the house of dread is a mystery.
For in spite of the forever silence, there can be heard,
groans and restless prayers.
The torments, past and present,  are in the walls of this place .

You know, I've never really seen anyone walking about,
apart from a woman who appears early each Monday morning,
and unlocks one door and then the next,
and removes the sealed white envelope, that rests ,
on each rooms mantel piece, and replaces it with another.
Just like an invitation to a wedding, or a birthday party.

The faded floral carpet on the stairs, is pressed flat, from the dance,
 of the deep sleepers, who climb and sometimes float, up and down,.
in and out of the closed front door.

Tushie   1973